Michael A. Winkleman is one of the nation’s top maritime lawyers. An active trial and appellate attorney, Mr. Winkleman is also a frequent contributing expert on maritime and cruise ship law. He has made more than 100 national television appearances regarding cruise ship law, including The Today Show, 20/20, Inside Edition, OutFront with Erin Burnett, Fox News Channel’s ‘American’s Newsroom,’ ‘Fox & Friends,’ ‘America Live,’ ‘Happening Now,’ ‘Justice with Judge Jeanine’; and ‘Imus in the Morning.’

Mr. Winkleman has received numerous honors and accolades in recognition of his contributions to the field of maritime law, including the following:

Named to Best Lawyers in America ®

Selected for the Super Lawyers ® list for 2019, his first year of eligibility

Named a Rising Star ® repeatedly

Named by Florida Trend Magazine as one of the Top Attorneys Under 40 ®

$828,524 verdict in South Florida jet ski accident case, where the accident victim suffered extensive injuries after being allowed to operate a personal watercraft without prior experience or instruction.

$658,983 verdict against Carnival Corporation for a cruise ship passenger who was badly injured in the water park on the ship.

Successful Appellate Attorney

Mr. Winkleman is unique in that, in addition to his great trial success, he also has an excellent track record as an appellate attorney. Mr. Winkleman’s appellate victories include the following:

KT v Royal Caribbean Cruises: Landmark decision that will require every cruise line to warn passengers about the risk of rapes and sexual assaults on their vessels.

Atlantic Sounding v. Townsend: Successfully argued in an Amicus Curiae brief in this landmark U.S. Supreme Court case, which established that maritime workers denied maintenance and cure may recover punitive damages under general maritime law.

Numerous victories in Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

Numerous victories in Third District Court of Appeals

Court Admissions and Professional Affiliations

Michael Winkleman is admitted to practice in all Florida state courts, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. In addition, he is a member of the following professional associations:

Appellate Committee of the Florida Justice Association

American Bar Association

Dade County Bar Association and its Appellate Practice Committee and Judicial Outreach Committee

Miami Dade Justice Association

Florida Admiralty Trial Lawyers Association

Southeastern Admiralty Lawyers Institute

Education and Background

In addition to his outstanding career as a litigator, Mr. Winkleman has had educational and teaching success as well. Some notable accomplishments are as follows:

Graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2006 from St. Thomas University School of Law, where he ranked third in his class and gave the commencement address.

Interned with the Honorable Judge David M. Gersten, then Chief Judge of the Third District Court of Appeal.

Served as a faculty instructor at the Florida College of Advanced Judicial Studies, teaching Florida judges about maritime law.

Taught a Continuing Legal Education class on the fundamentals of maritime law to a nationwide audience.

Frequent Media Contributor on Maritime Law

View Mr. Winkleman’s interviews on major news channels covering cruise ship accidents, deaths, rapes and more. Mr. Winkleman has been featured in national news media over 100 times.

My experience with Michael Winkleman and his team started when I failed to find someone in my home country of Australia who could deal with my shipboard accident. I have been thrilled with the service and genuine care of his team.

* Disclaimer required by the Florida Bar: The numbers above are the gross recoveries, before deduction for attorneys fees and expenses. Most cases result in a lower recovery. It should not be assumed that your case will have as beneficial a result.